Christian Prog

 

I am agnostic myself, but a band's religious beliefs do not bother me, unless they are the lyrical and musical focus of the group (exception made for Orphaned Land).

 

I don't think anyone is preaching here. Neal Morse certainly doesn't preach, he tells his own personal stories, feelings and beliefs, or he tells stories and what not from the Bible itself, which in essence shouldn't be much different in concept than retelling a part of any story, though it surely would have a spiritual meaning rather than just a sentimental one. He is not pushing his beliefs on anyone, he is just putting them out there. Besides, I think nearly every musician in some way or another works their beliefs in to their stuff regardless if it's religious, spiritual, moral, etc.

 

I also don't think anyone says bluntly in their music "I'm a Christian." The artists may speak of beliefs or whatever relating to a certain belief system, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are proclaiming an affiliation. The Flower Kings, for example, speak of many positive things: peace, love, etc. They even make references to God, though not saying it directly. Roine Stolt is not a Christian though.

 

You also should not make such generalizations of Christianity or any belief, because they all take many different forms. And again, Christianity is supposed to be about having a realtionship with God, it is not supposed to be a formulaic, utterly strict religion. I can't see how these are "tired cliches." Sure, I disagree with some views/practices of certain sects of Christianity, and many of those sects' ideals do need to fix some things, but shouldn't the general morals expressed in the Bible (as well as the Torah and Qu'ran if I'm not mistaken) remain always? You can't say that treating people with kindness, not killing/lying/stealing, etc. are played out and we need fresh ideas. For how many theories and ideas have come and gone over the years, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and so on have all remained, and that should say something. Unfortunately these people who think we need new ideals have been winning, as many nations keep losing grip on their foundations in favor of new ones that appeal to those who are trying to break away from the traditional morals and the like.

 

Lastly, why should you care if someone wants to say what they believe? If you need new ideas, and Christian ideas are too old for you, don't listen to it. I don't see why people need to question what's already been accepted for all of these years, and (generally speaking) rightfully so. And just because this age is bent on new explainations for everything, why must a man conform to those people and aquiesce to their requests? If a Scientologist wants to write about his ARC triangle and auditing, or if an evolutionist wants to write about is great, great, great, great, great grandfather the ape, let him/her. Are you going to accuse them of preaching to us?

 

Artists give us their perspectives of religion and morals, love, the world, but are we accusing all of them of preaching to us? No, surprisingly, only the Christians, or so it seems. At least to a much larger degree than the others.